2010 OKLAHOMA ENVIROTHON  -  Wildlife Station Study Guide

The following are very brief descriptions of the ecoregions of Oklahoma.  The list of species focuses on more of the terrestrial conservation landscapes (natural communities) and are the more common species.  For more information please visit www.wildlifedepartment.com/cwcs.pdf.  This document has a map depicting the different ecoregions.  Within each ecoregion there is a description of the different Conservation Landscapes and the Species of Greatest Conservation Need recognized within each Landscape.

For more descriptive information about the ecoregions of Oklahoma visit: www.wildlifedepartment.com/diversity/biodiversity/chapter3.pdf. 

Following are 2 examples of information that you should research for all 6 of the ecoregions defined in the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy: www.wildlifedepartment.com/cwcs.pdf.   For the purpose of preparing for the Wildlife Station, you need only research the terrestrial Conservation Landscapes.  For each ecoregion become familiar with the dominant plants and predominant wildlife.  (Hint:  Be sure to read the descriptive information about each ecoregion:

www.wildlifedepartment.com/diversity/biodiversity/chapter3.pdf ,to determine the dominant terrestrial Conservation Landscape for the ecoregion and focus defining the dominant plants and predominant wildlife for that Landscape.)

Information About the Wildlife Station Set-up:

Within the Wildlife Station area will be 3 tables displaying a variety of references that will help you with the Wildlife Test.  However, due to time constraints it will be a good idea for students to be familiar with the references so they will know how to use them.  Some examples include field guides of birds, wildflowers, trees, shrubs, grasses, owl pellet skeleton charts, ecoregion maps, etc.

Crosstimbers Ecoregion (Oak Woods and Prairies Ecoregion)

The Crosstimbers (Oak Woods and Prairies ecoregion) is a transitional area for many plants and animals whose ranges extend northward into the Great Plains or eastward into the forests. This region, sometimes called the Cross-Timbers, was named by early settlers, who found belts of oak forest crossing strips of prairie grassland.

The region can be described as oak savannah, where patches of oak woodland are interspersed

with grassland. Cattle ranching is the major agricultural industry in the Oak Woods and

Prairies. Introduced grasses such as Bermuda grass are grazed along with forage crops and

native grasslands.

Threats:

-Fragmentation of woodland tracts by urbanization, conversion to tame pastureland,

road construction, and utility/pipeline right of ways.

-Loss of the natural fire regime that has increased the density of some woodland

stands relative to their historic condition.

- Loss of native understory vegetation, due in part to a combination of dense canopies,

grazing by cattle, and introduced forbs.

Management Techniques to maintain Crosstimbers:

In the long run, prescribed burning will do more to improve habitat for deer and numerous other wildlife than any other practice. Prescribed burning is also considered the "cheapest, most effective habitat management technique for the Post Oak Savannah region".

As a general rule, about 20 percent of upland woodland sites should be prescribed burned during late November (after frost and leaf drop) through February (before green-up) on a rotational basis, burning each site every 5-6 years to remove old growth and stimulate new growth of browse and forbs (weeds and wildflowers). In order to have enough low level fuel to produce a hot fire, one or two years of cattle exclusion from wooded tracts may be necessary to allow growth of vegetation normally grazed by cattle. The best time to carry a fire through woodlands is shortly after leaf drop (while the leaves are still fluffed up with air space and before winter rains and time compact the litter). However, many landowners choose not to burn until the end of deer season. A postponement until mid January to March also allows wildlife to "clean-up" fallen acorns and other mast.

About one-third of native grass openings should be prescribe burned each year, burning each site every three years, on a rotating basis. This will remove accumulated dead grass litter and control young, invasive woody species such as cedar, locust, and persimmon. Burning may also stimulate new growth of plants that may have become dormant due to the absence of fire. Pasture burn sites should be burned in late summer (late August through September), or early spring (March through April) for best results. Typically, burning during late summer will be more effective in controlling invading woody species, if that is a primary reason for burning.

Additionally, research has shown that about seven times more insects are usually found in burned native grass areas compared to unburned areas, thus providing much more spring and summer high protein food for quail and turkey, especially for the young.

Ozark Ecoregion

The Ozark Ecoregion is composed of rugged hills and low mountains formed by the eroded Ozark Plateau.  Because the underlying geologic formation is limestone, caves, sink holes and springs are common.  Dry oak-hickory forests occur on well-drained slopes, hills, and plains.  There are areas of open canopy and closed canopy (ravines, north-facing slopes, etc.) forests.  Areas of exposed rock are common. 

Threats:

Management Techniques to maintain dry oak-hickory forests:

For the dominant plants learn what wildlife value they have.  For example, oak trees produce acorns that are eaten by squirrels, wild turkeys, and red-headed woodpeckers. 

The website of the Noble Foundation has information for each plant including providing any wildlife value aspect.

http://www.noble.org/WebApps/PlantImageGallery/Index.aspx

Learn tracks of common mammal species.  There are several good field guides that will help.

Learn the songs of common bird species:  Blue Jay, American Crow, Wild Turkey, Common Nighthawk, Woodpecker drumming, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Black-and-White Warbler, White-breasted Nuthatch.  Go to:  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/search.  

Learn about owl pellets and how to use the pellets to evaluate the area. 

http://www.kidwings.com/index.htm

Common Management Practices for Wildlife Species:

http://www.wildlifemanagement.info/files/forestry_mgt_28.pdf

http://www.wildlifemanagement.info/files/forestry_mgt_29.pdf

http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-4677/E-998.pdf

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